Diplazium kawakamii

Kawakami's Tail Fern  Apleniaceae

An elegant, rather elusive member of the Diplazium clan, Diplazium kawakamii is a substantial, finely divided fern of moist Asian forests. Originally described by Hayata in 1911, it ranges from Nepal and the eastern Himalaya through Yunnan, Guangxi and Indochina to Taiwan and southern Japan. 

The large fronds are typically three- to four-pinnate, carried on stout, scaly stalks, and can form an impressive crown above the forest floor. In nature it favours wet, densely forested ravines and stream margins, often at moderate to high elevations; records from Taiwan include plants around 900–2,500 m. 

There is an interesting ethnobotanical connection too: D. kawakamii is among the ferns recorded as wild vegetables in the Himalayas, with young fronds gathered for food. 

A choice fern for a cool, damp woodland or sheltered fernery, it appreciates rich, moisture-retentive soil and protection from drying winds. Its combination of stature, finely divided foliage and Asian provenance makes it a particularly worthwhile collector’s species.

Hardiness: H4 (-10 to -5°C)
Height: 80–150 cm
Spread: 60–100 cm
Seasonal interest: Spring to autumn